Evan Tagmeyer is an artist in residence at Main Street Arts! He’s working in one of our two studio spaces during the month of July 2016 (you can stop by the gallery to see his studio and work in progress). We asked Evan a few questions about his artwork, life, and more:
Q: To start this off, would you tell us about your background?
A: I am a professional artist living and working in the suburbs of Philadelphia (more specifically Lansdale township). For the past six years I have been an art student. I first attended Bucks County Community College where I received my Associates Degree in Fine Arts. I then transferred into University of the Arts where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting.
Q: What was your experience like at art school?
A: To say that my three years at University of the Arts was the time of my life would be an understatement. I met and made wonderful relationships with individuals whom I know will continue their creative endeavors and will hopefully stay in touch. I never painted before University of the Arts and my sophomore year I became very aware that this medium was something that I found fascinating.
Q: How would you describe your work?
A: To put it simply I paint in the dark. I use dark interiors that slow down the viewers understanding as well as my own of space and form. As of late, I have been painting still life and interior space paintings of my home and studio. Along with interior space paintings I have been creating still life paintings of objects that define me personally.
Q: What is your process for creating a work of art?
A: Recently, I have been interested in painting medical devices that are thrown about with other objects or placed in a certain way to alter or hinder their usage. My still life paintings I set up by placing the objects in a makeshift box that I than cover with a screen to give the illusion of darkness. My interior space paintings I start by taking multiple photos of the space, I then begin to alter how they are viewed before I begin to paint through my computer. I push the lights and darks in the photos and than I recreate the image through paint.
Q: What are your goals for the residency?
A: Because I am a young, emerging artist my goals for this residency are to first and foremost to create more work in a professional environment, while also building professional relationships and connections to help further my career.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: After my residency is complete I will be returning back home to Pennsylvania to see family and friends. After my return I plan to keep creating artwork and look for gallery representation near me.
